ARC 1: The Prime Minister’s Tool Wife ✦ c1 ~ 70
✦ 35
Translator: InkyDragon (https://inkydragontranslation.wordpress.com)
“Daddy!” A sweet voice called out as Luo Chang Qing returned home. His daughter, Luo Ya Qing, was waiting for him in the hall, her face lighting up at the sight of him.
Overjoyed to see his married daughter, Luo Chang Qing hurried over to her. He carefully examined her face and expressed concern, “Qing’er, you look like you’ve lost weight. Has that Zhou Wen Cun upset you?”
Luo Ya Qing was taken aback. “No, no, Daddy! My husband treats me very well. I haven’t lost weight, you’re mistaken.”
“How can your face look thinner if you haven’t lost weight? You don’t need to defend that brat. I’ll have a talk with him another day. He should’ve taken better care of you.” Luo Chang Qing gently stroked his daughter’s head, his disapproval evident.
Luo Ya Qing couldn’t bear to see her beloved husband blamed by her father. She held onto Luo Chang Qing’s arm, coquettishly saying, “Father, you’ve misunderstood. I’m just not used to the food at Prince Shun Yi’s mansion, so I eat less. But being slightly thinner is more attractive, so please don’t blame my husband…”
“If you couldn’t handle the food at the prince’s mansion, why didn’t you tell me sooner? I’ll have our chef go back home with you. It’s my mistake for not thinking of sending the chef as part of your dowry,” Luo Chang Qing scolded himself, his affection for his daughter shining through.
Deeply touched, Luo Ya Qing didn’t refuse. “Thank you, Daddy, for caring about me.”
The food at Prince Shun Yi’s mansion was mostly heavy and greasy, as if their wealth and glory couldn’t be showcased without excessive seasoning. Growing up eating light and simple food, Luo Ya Qing found it difficult to enjoy her meals after marrying into the mansion.
As a new bride, she was too afraid to order dishes herself, fearing gossip from her sisters-in-law. However, with her father’s permission to bring back the mansion’s chef, she could use it as an excuse to build a small kitchen in her own yard. This way, Prince Shun Yi’s wife would have no reason to criticise her anymore. Luo Ya Qing was learning to be more strategic for her own sake.
After exchanging heartfelt words to strengthen their bond, Luo Ya Qing hesitantly brought up the reason for her visit:
“Princess Dowager really admires the tea flowers that Madam Luo cultivates. She has been longing for them ever since she saw them at the Minister’s residence. I thought since Madam Luo cultivates them, I would ask her if she could spare a plant for me… But to my surprise, she refused. She said that one plant would be put up for auction, and she wanted to keep the other for herself…”
Luo Ya Qing’s troubled expression seemed to seek solace from her father, but her true intention was to subtly inform him of the situation. “I blame myself for not consulting Madam Luo beforehand and putting her in a difficult position. Those flowers are extremely valuable, so it’s only natural for her to auction them off. And of course, she should keep the last plant for herself. I shouldn’t desire what belongs to others…”
Unfortunately, Luo Chang Qing completely missed his daughter’s indirect complaint about her stepmother. He responded directly, “If that’s the case, just buy the one being auctioned and give it to the Princess Dowager. What’s there to be troubled about?”
Taken aback by his words, Luo Ya Qing bit her lip and quickly glanced at him before murmuring, “I, I don’t have that much money…”
Unconcerned about her worries, Luo Chang Qing replied, “It’s just money? Daddy’s got plenty!”
“Daddy, each flower sold at Madam Luo’s Blossom Pavilion is incredibly valuable, and I’m sure the Five-Colored Scarlet Pill is no different. Our estate isn’t that rich. Do you think it’s worth spending so much money on flowers?” Luo Ya Qing wasn’t too keen on Mistress Xu making so much money off her and felt dissatisfied.
She just wanted her stepmother to give her the flowers for free, so she had been dropping hints to her father for a long time. Unfortunately, her father never understood what she meant.
Finally, Luo Ya Qing had to be straightforward. “Daddy, can’t you talk to Madam Luo for me? Maybe if you ask her nicely, she’ll just give you the flowers without having to auction them?”
Luo Chang Qing was taken aback for a moment before shaking his head and smiling. “That’s impossible. The Xu family values money above all else. Even the Emperor has to pay for her chrysanthemums.”
“But His Majesty is His Majesty, and Daddy is Daddy!” Luo Ya Qing argued. “Even though His Majesty is the ruler of the country, he is a stranger to Madam Luo. But you, Daddy, are different. You are Madam Luo’s husband, you are family. How can Madam Luo treat you like an outsider? It’s not that I don’t want to spend money, but with my brother about to get married, we will have nephews in the future. Since my mother passed away, the family’s business hasn’t been thriving. We don’t earn much money, but the expenses are high… Father, I’m also thinking about you and brother… Madam Luo, as a member of the mansion, should also understand my father’s situation…”
Luo Ya Qing showed great understanding and considered the mansion’s interests in every word.
Touched by his daughter’s consideration, Luo Chang Qing said with relief, “Qing’er has indeed grown up, understanding her father and brother. I will try talking to Madam Luo.”
Luo Ya Qing’s eyes lit up. “Then let’s go, Daddy,” she responded eagerly.
Only Luo Chang Qing had a great filter for his own daughter, believing that she genuinely cared about his feelings. If others were to hear her words, they would see through her true intentions.
And so, Xu Shi Chu encountered Luo Chang Qing and his daughter in her courtyard.
“It seems like you only show up here when you need something,” Xu Shi Chu remarked, her voice laced with sarcasm as she glanced at the father and daughter. “And this time takes the cake! In the past, at least you were willing to pay when you asked for things. But now you’re expecting something for nothing, acting like a wolf in sheep’s clothing! Lord Luo, you’re becoming quite the shrewd businessperson.”
Luo Chang Qing felt a wave of embarrassment wash over him as he absorbed her words, realising that he had indeed gone a bit too far. However, his daughter’s request still gave him the courage to speak up. “I may have overstepped, but could Madame consider lowering the price? I am willing to pay for it.”
Xu Shi Chu shook her head slowly, a smile playing on her lips. “No, once it’s announced for auction, it’s an auction. Lord Luo should understand the importance of honesty in business. How can I cancel the auction just for personal interests? Besides, it’s just a tea flower. Even if Lord Luo doesn’t obtain it, what does it matter to you? Why do you have to approach me so brashly?”
Xu Shi Chu glanced at Luo Ya Qing standing behind him, already knowing exactly who desired the Five-Colored flower.
Could Luo Chang Qing admit that he wanted the flower to please his daughter’s mother-in-law? He couldn’t say that, so he stood there frozen.
After a moment, he sighed and pleaded, “Please consider my request. Can you give me the remaining one?”
Xu Shi Chu decisively rejected him, her tone laced with sarcasm. “No! I told you I want to keep it.”
─── ❖ ── ☆ ── ❖ ───
( )………( )
(๑✪ᆺ✪๑)
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